Poudre River Art Center - The Reinvention of Downtown
It’s easy to get caught in the excitement and momentum of a mover and shaker and this is what you experience when meeting Michael Jensen, a Fort Collins resident and property developer. Jensen has clear, cool visions of the future of the arts and business for the northern downtown area.
Jensen is a graduate of CSU, with a degree in Real Estate and Finance and is using this expertise in momentous ways with a commitment to and participation in the reinvention of Downtown Fort Collins.
His latest concept, the Poudre River Art Center, (located on north College) holds the dreams and promise of an exciting future for area artists, the arts and businesses of Fort Collins. Jensen acquired the property, in November 2004, which has served the city and people of Fort Collins since 1907, when it was an area established for tents and temporary shelter for squatters.
It is difficult to imagine the generations of Fort Collins residents that have passed through the doors of this building. The Poudre Arts Center, from 1936 through 1960, served as the Community Market grocery store, from that point, until1970, it became the location of a German used car lot followed by Modern Manor Homes until 1980, when the building housed Freight Broker Furniture for fifteen years and from1995 to 2003, became, Just Office Furniture.
Surprisingly, it was just five months ago, when Michael came up with the concept to develop the Poudre Arts Center, based on his knowledge of a highly successful artist’s center known as The Torpedo Factory, in Alexandria, Virgina.
The proposed plan is to keep the rent reasonably low, while the development moves from its first to third phase and Jensen generously assures artists that during the first phase of construction, their rents will be abated.
Fort Collins residents now have the opportunity to enjoy the Poudre Art Center and re-experience its rich history in an impressive structure which features exposed rafters, made from the reclaimed timber of Denver’s historic rail yards.
When walking through the doors, of the center, prepare to be greeted by an undeniable sense of collective, artistic energy. This energy is magnified by the vision, enthusiasm and creativity of four energized women: Bev Perina, a local artist who orchestrated, early on, a lot of the organization that is "fast tracking" this project and who is steering it toward success. Donna Visocky (Arts Alive), Amelia Caruso (Artists Assembled) and Christine Webb (Artists’ Nook).
Donna Visocky, the executive director of Arts Alive (one of the anchor businesses among others, such as, The Center for Fine Art Photography) is in the process of scheduling events for the Common Area, which is available for lease per hour or event, by community organizations and for showcasing the works of area artists.
Visocky has scheduled some exciting exhibits and community events, including the Arts Alive Show and Sale for September, Legacy Land Trust Arts Show and Sale for October, Katherine Skaggs, Exhibit and Sale for November, SAVA Exhibit and Sale for April, 2007 and Lorrie-Acott Fowler’s Sculpture Show is scheduled for late spring, 2007. The Poudre Arts Center will be open for July’s First Friday Art Walk.
Michael Jensen stated, "We are very excited to make this happen and fast track it to becoming a reality. What I love is doing and acting! We are implementing great ideas that will add an exciting element to Downtown Fort Collins. The Poudre River Arts Center will be a great thing for the Lower Downtown as it evolves and becomes the new heart and soul and possibly the epicenter of our Downtown. Just keep an eye out as we have some incredible projects and plans for this particular intersection at College & Cherry. We own 3 of the 4 corners and this is the 1st step towards many great things to come between the existing Downtown core and the Poudre River!"
Amelia Caruso, Artists Assembled, has a hard time hiding her enthusiasm for the Poudre Art Center. She easily moves into the position of head cheerleader for this venture, when ever speaking of the enormous benefits to artists and arts groups thinking of renting studio and workshop space.
Basically, Amelia’s concept is, artists gathered under one roof will realistically follow the adage, “there is strength in numbers.” Caruso says, “Artists, considering space rental, should consider the value of their marketing dollar and realize dollars spent at Poudre Art Center will purchase top selling potential and exposure for their works. The idea in renting a studio or workshop space with the center is the facility will provide artists every opportunity to become a part of a rapidly growing arts community and enable them to participate in the excitement and fun of Fort Collins’ collective energy and spirit.”
Christine Webb, owner/director of Artists’ Nook, envisions the Poudre River Art Center as a space large enough to define Fort Collins artistic presence. She states … “the idea of having many artists in one location will have a momentous effect on the appreciation and growth of the arts.”
There is no lack of enthusiasm, energy or ideas with this group and we can only expect the Poudre Arts Center to be a successful and valuable asset for our community.
Deborah Russell, 06
Published: Arts Alive Newsletter
First Issue of "Livewire"
